Lionel Messi’s son Thiago makes choice between Argentina & Spain while revealing which Barcelona star he hopes to play alongside after leaving Inter Miami academy

At 11 years of age, Thiago – the oldest of three boys parented by Lionel and his wife Antonela – was born during his father’s legendary spell at Camp Nou. As a Catalan native, he will be eligible to play for Spain if forging a professional playing career of his own.

He does, however, boast dual nationality courtesy of his Argentine parents. The youngster currently favours the reigning world champions over those that landed a global crown in 2010, telling Mundo Deportivo of his plans for the present and future: “Playing makes me more nervous than watching my father play. I'm not doing well with my left foot. I want to play with the Argentine team and I don't think there is any way the Spanish team can convince me.”

While planning to follow in his father’s footsteps at international level, Thiago has also stated a desire to grace the same domestic stage at Barcelona. He said when asked which current star he would like to become a team-mate of: “I would like to play with Lamine [Yamal].”

There is every chance of that happening, as Yamal is only 16 himself and continues to shatter records with Barcelona and Spain. For now, Thiago Messi forms part of the academy system at Inter Miami - with his dad turning out for their senior side in MLS.